Fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya congratulated the new owners of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. His social media post comes after the successful sale of the franchise. He took the opportunity to remind the world that he was the man who started it all.
Vijay Mallya on X (formerly Twitter) said that he bought the RCB franchise in 2008 for ₹450 million crowns. His decision was widely ridiculed at the time.
“When I bought the franchise for INR 450 million in 2008, most people laughed at me and criticized my investment as vanity,” he wrote.
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Mallya revealed that the name Royal Challengers Bengaluru was not accidental. It was deliberate brand building built on his flagship whiskey brand Royal Challenge.
“Behind my much-vaunted madness was building the Royal Challenge brand and that’s why I named the franchise RCB,” he said.
With the franchise, it now sells for approx ₹16,500 crore, Mallya’s original investment has grown more than 36 times in less than two decades. It is one of the most remarkable comebacks in the history of Indian sports.
Mallya also took credit for one of RCB’s most pivotal decisions: the signing of young Virat Kohli. “RCB will always remain a part of my DNA with indelible memories including the selection of a young Virat Kohli who is now among the best in the world,” he wrote.
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The post ended on a sentimental note. Mallya thanked the RCB fans for their support during his tenure as the owner of the franchise. He urged them to continue to support the team.
“Please continue to support RCB, Bengaluru Lion. Namaskara,” he concluded.
Vijay Mallya is currently fighting extradition to India from the UK. It is linked to cases of bank fraud ₹9,000 million crowns.
Reaction on social networks
“FROM ₹450 kr ₹16,500 Cr… sir really said ‘Ee sala profit jmende’ before RCB could say it about the trophy. Respect for seeing Virat Kohli early, but that investment alone was worth more than a couple of IPL titles! Now go back to India. Nimmo Tai already said they got more than you cheated,” another user wrote.
Another user wrote: “From a ‘vanity project’ to a billion dollar inheritance… that’s a story in itself.”
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“Legendary business thinking Mallya Bhai, still I know RCB’s value is more than this 16k crores. But this is how you invest in projects and what you get as return,” wrote a social media user.
“Now pay off your loans from the amount received,” said another.
RCB sold for ₹16,660 crores
In 2016, following legal and financial problems, Vijay Mallya lost control of Royal Challengers Bengaluru. United Spirits Limited (a subsidiary of Diageo) then owned RCB until March 2026, when it was sold in a historic deal.
RCB were sold for ₹16,660 crores. This made the IPL franchise the most expensive franchise in IPL history.
The deal, announced on March 24, sees a consortium led by the Aditya Birla Group take over United Spirits Limited. Times of India, Blackstone and Bolt Ventures are also part of the group.
Aryaman Vikram Birla will serve as Chairman. The deal covers both IPL and WPL teams.
